Nursing bottle holder



May 19, 1953 s. A. WELLS 2,639,111

NURSING BOTTLE HOLDER Filed July 24, 1951 YIIIIIIIIIIIIII/ III I INVENTOR SYLVANUS A .WELLS BY 77z mm; W 1/- 19m ATTORNEYS Patented May 19, 1953 OFFICE NURSING BOTTLE HOLDER Sylvanus A. Wells, Daytona Beach, Fla. Application July ,24, 1951, Serial no. 238,199

Claims. (Cl. 248--105') This invention relates to bottle holders. More particularly, the invention has reference to a holder adapted to support a nursing bottle in a position wherein it is inclined at an appropriate angle convenient for an infant to nurse therefrom while being temporarily left unattended.

One important object of the present invention is to provide a nursing bottle holder that will bc collapsible, so that it may be conveniently stored away in a small area when not in use. I

Another important object is to provide a nursing bottle holder wherein the bottle will be supported so as to prevent the imposition of the weight of the bottle against the infants mouth.

Still another important object is to provide a bottle holder so designed as to allow the infant maximum freedom of motion, through the inedium of a bottle supporting means adapted to allow the bottle to follow each turn of the infants head.

Still another important object is to provide, in a bottle holder of the type stated, a construction wherein a pair of spaced supports are removably connected by means of a medially disposed connecting sleeve, the sleeve having a centrally disposed pin interengaged with the supports in a manner to prevent relative rotation between the respective supports and the connecting sleeve, said pin constituting additionally means for supporting flexible bottle-holding members depending from the connecting sleeve medially between the supports.

Another important object is to provide, in a construction as described, a pair of supports so formed and relatively arranged as to provide a strong, rigid, and unmoving frame when the device is being used, the arrangement nevertheless being such as to permit the several component parts Of the assembly to be separated from one another when the device is to be stored away.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a bottle holder formed in accordance with the present inven tion, a nursing bottle being illustrated in proper position for use;

Figure 2 is an enlarged end elevation;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view onthe same scale as that used in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view, still further enlarged, taken substantially on line ll of Figure 2; and, I

Figure 5 is a detail sectional new taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the invention includes a pair of spaced apart, generally triangular supports of identical though op- 2 posite formation; arranged in upwardly converging, inclined planes. Each support is for-med of a single piece of stout, rigid wire material, so

formed as to include a horizontal base 1 adapted to be supported upon a crib mattress or the like, not shown. At its opposite ends, the base i is integral with upwardly converging legs 2, which in turn merge into arcuate upper portions 3 that impart rigidity to the structure. The upper portions 3 converge upwardly, so that the op posi te ends 4 of said piece of wire material are extended in longitudinally contacting relation.

As may be particularly noted from Figure 3;

all portions of the support are disposed in a com mon inclined plane, said plane of each support being disposed in upwardly converging relation with the plane of the opposite support.

The longitudinally contacting ends 4 of each support extend into the outer end portions 5 of a pair of clamping sleeves or ferrules, said outer end portions being related angularly to the inner end portions 8 of the clamping sleeves, and being arranged in the planes of the respective supports.

It is preferred that after extension of the ends 4 into their associated clamping sleeve, the outer endportion of the clamping sleeve into which they are extendedbe compressed or contractedthere'abou-t, to efiect a permanent, fixed connection between each support and its associated clamping sleeve.

The inner portions of the respective clamping sleeves are arranged coaxially, and extend toward one another across the space between the supports, this construction being best illustrated in Figure 3. The inner end portions 6 extend into opposite ends of a connecting sleeve 1 dijsposed medially between the supports, and arranged coaxially with said inner end portions 6. The clamping sleeves, in this connection, are removably engaged in the connecting sleeve I, so that the device can be disassembled when not in use, and conveniently stored away in a relatively small area. I I,

The inner ends or the inner end portions i are spaced apart, as best seen in Figure 5; and are formed with oppositely disposed, arcuate, transverse recesses 8 curved correspondingly to and removably engaged with a pin 9, that extends transversely of the connecting sleeve '1, through diametrically opposed openings 10 formed in the side wall of the connecting sleeve medially between the opposite ends thereof. The pin 9 preferably is rotatable'in said openings in, for a purpose to be made apparent.

At one end, the pin 9 is formed with the head II, that acts to prevent movement of the pin 9 transversely of the connecting sleeve 1, in one direction. At its other end, the pin 9 is integrally formed with a hook l2, that depends from the connecting sleeve 1 to afford a means for dependingly supporting upon the connecting sleeve a chain I3.

From the description so far provided, it is believed apparent that the respective supports can be disconnected by reason of the removable engagement of the inner end portions 6 of the clamping sleeves with the connecting sleeves 1. It is also believed worthy of note that on insertion of the clamping sleeves in the opposite ends of the connecting sleeve, the clamping sleeves will be held against rotation relative to the connecting sleeve, due to theengagement of the pin 9 in the recesses B. In this way, a rigid frame work is provided, extending transversely of and above a crib mattress, that will be wholly fllcient in holding a nursing bottle in a position where the infant can conveniently nurse therefrom, without possibility of the bottle accidentally falling.

A chain [3 in the present instance is illustrated as a single chain, supported intermediate opposite ends thereof by the hook l2. The chain is engaged with the hook at a location effective to deflne a pair of flexible members extending downwardly from the hook, said flexible members being of different lengths. It is believed suificiently obvious as not to require special illustration that instead of a single chain, separate flexible members can be used, and it is not intended that I be restricted to the particular embodiment illustrated and described, except as necessarily required by the scope of the appended claims.

At their lower ends, the flexible members are respectively provided with clamping rings 14 and IS. The clamping ring I4 is attached to the lower end of the shorter flexible member, and is of greater diameter than the flexible ring I5. The ring l5, as may be noted from Figurel, is proportioned to engage the reduced neck of a nursing bottle B, while the ring I4 is extendable around the base portion of the bottle. The rings I4 and I5 are each formed of springable metal material, the end portions of which overlap with one another so as to permit expansion of the respective rings to accommodate nursing bottles of various diameters.

As may be noted from Figure 1, the construction illustrated and described causes the nursing bottle B to be supported in an inclined position, with the nipple of the bottle inclined downwardly where it may be conveniently taken by the infant. The arrangement, as will be'appreciated, is one that encourages the infant to hold the bottle, so that in time, the infant may be trained to hold the bottle without necessity of the bottles being supported by the device constituting the present invention.

Additionally, itis an important characteristic of: the invention that there is no interference with normal movement of the infant during feeding, since the triangular supports are spaced widely apart at their bases, thus to allow the infant to move freely from side to side without possibility of overturning the device.

' Further, the arcuate portions 3 of the triangular supports are considered to have an additional function, in that not only do they rigidify the frame work, but also, they serve as spreadable clamps in either of which a nursing bottle B may ports and spaced apart, coaxial inner end portween; a connecting sleeve coaxial with said inner 4 be engaged for safe keeping after the infant has finished feeding.

Should it develop that the height of the holder needs adjustment, the legs 2 of the supports may be pulled apart or forced toward one another, in a manner to lower the overall height of the device.

The pin 9, as previously mentioned herein, is preferably rotatable in its openings I 0, so that should the infant turn its head, the bottle will turn also, and will transmit rotatable movement through the flexible members to the pin 9, partially rotating the pin within the openings Ill. If the infant should momentarily stop feeding, and releasethe bottle, the bottle will not swing back to its previous position out of the infant's reach.

What is claimed is:

l. A nursing bottle holder including a pair of spaced, upwardly extended supports; clamping sleeves having outer end portions clampably engaged with the upper ends of the respective suptions extended toward one another across the space between the supports, the inner ends of said inner end portions having arcuate, transverse recesses opening upon the space therebeend portions and medially disposed between said supports, the inner end portions extending into opposite ends of the connecting sleeve; a pin extending transversely through the connecting sleeve and engageable in the recesses to prevent relative rotation between the connecting and clamping sleeves; and means depending from the pin and adapted for supporting a nursing bottle in the space between the supports.

2. A nursing bottle holder including a pair of spaced, upwardly extending supports; clamping sleeves having outer end portions clampably engaged with the upper ends of the supports and spaced apart, coaxial inner end portions extending toward one another across the space between the supports, said inner end portions having arcuate, transverse recesses opening upon the space therebetween; a connecting sleeve coaxial with said inner end portions and medially disposed between said supports, the inner end portions extending into opposite ends of the connecting sleeve; a pin extending transversely through the connecting sleeve and engageable in the recesses to prevent relative rotation between the connecting and clamping sleeves; a hook on one end of the pin extending downwardly from the connecting sleeve; and means depending from the hook and adapted for supporting a nursing bottle in the space between the supports, said means comprising a pair of flexible members of different lengths engaged at one end with said hook, a clamping ring on the other end of the longer flexible member proportioned to receive a reduced neck of a nursing bottle, and a clamping ring of greater diameter than the first-named ring and connected to the other end of the shorter flexible member, the second-named ring being proportioned to receive the base portion of a nursing bottle.

3. A nursing bottle holder including spaced upwardly extended supports; clamping sleeves having outer end portions clampably engaged with the upper ends of the supports and spaced apart, coaxial inner end portions extending toward one another across the space between the supports, said inner end portions having arcuate, transverse recesses opening upon the space therebetween; a connecting sleeve coaxial with said inner end portions and medially disposed between said supports, the inner end portions extending into opposite ends of the connecting sleeve; a pin extending transversely through the connecting sleeve and releasably engageable in the recesses to prevent relative rotation between the connecting and clamping sleeves; a head on one end of the pin overlying the connecting sleeve to hold the pin against movement transversely of the connecting sleeve in one direction; a hook on the other end of the pin extending downwardly from the connecting sleeve and restraining the pin against movement transversely of the connecting sleeve in an opposite direction; and means depending from the hook and adapted for supporting a nursing bottle in the space between the supports.

4. A nursing bottle holder including a pair of spaced, generally triangular supports of identical formation arranged in upwardly converging, inclined planes, each support being formed of a single piece of stout wire material the ends of which meet at the upper ends of the supports and are extended in longitudinally contacting relation; clamping sleeves having outer end portions lying in said planes and respectively receiving and clampably engaging the longitudinally contacting ends of the respective supports, the clamping sleeves having spaced apart, coaxially arranged inner end portions related angularly to the outer portions and extending toward one another across the space between the supports, the inner ends of said inner portions having arcuate, transverse recesses opening upon the space therebetween; a connecting sleeve coaxial with said inner end portions and disposed between said supports, the inner end portions extending into opposite ends of the connecting sleeve; a pin extending transversely through the connecting sleeve and engageable in the recesses to prevent relative rotation between the connecting. and clamping sleeves; and means depending from the pin and adapted for supporting a nursing bottle in the space between the supports.

5. A nursing bottle holder including a pair of spaced, generally triangular supports of identical formation arranged in upwardly converging, inclined planes, each support being formed of a single piece of stout wire material the ends of which meet :at the upper ends of the supports and are extended in longitudinally contacting relation; clamping sleeves having outer end portions lying in said planes and respectively receiving and clampably engaging the longitudinally contacting ends of the respective supports, the clamping sleeves having spaced apart, coaxially arranged inner end portions related angularly to the outer portions and extending toward one another across the space between the supports, the inner ends of said inner portions having arcuate; transverse recesses opening upon the space therebetween; a connecting sleeve c0- axial with said inner end portions and disposed between said supports, the inner end portions extending into opposite ends of the connecting sleeve; a pinextending transversely through the connecting sleeve and engageable in the recesses to prevent relative rotation between the connecting and clamping sleeves; a head on one end of the pin overlying the connecting sleeve to hold the pin against movement transversely of the connecting sleeve in one direction; a hook on the other end of the pin extending downwardly from the connecting sleeve and restraining the pin against movement transversely of the connecting sleeve in an opposite direction; and means depending from the hook and adapted for supporting a nursing bottle in the space between the supports.

SYLVANUS A. WELLS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 760,389 Eba 1 May 17, 1904 932,344 Starbard Aug. 24, 1909 1,281,948 Guiterman Oct. 15, 1918 2,201,257 Bell May 21, 1940 2,362,020 Morrow Nov. 7, 1944 2,490,307 Cassile Dec. 6, 1949 2,496,527 Forrest Feb. 7, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 14,331 Great Britain Aug. 10, 1900 630,661 France Dec. 7, 1927 

